Colchester vs Walsall - Match Preview

Back-to-back wins over Forest Green and Tranmere has moved the Saddlers 12 points clear of the bottom two with only five games left to play.

If results go their way tomorrow, and they pick up a result against relegation-threatened Colchester United, Walsall could officially retain their League Two status.

But with that not yet a mathematical reality, Dutton has called on his charges to stay focused heading into tomorrow’s fixture.

When asked if he feels his side are now essentially safe, Dutton said: “I don’t want to look at it like that, I want the lads to stay focused and not take their foot off the gas.

“We’ve had to endure some terrible moments in my tenure and this is the light at the end of the tunnel.

“We want to keep moving forward and to do that you have to be focused. Until we’re mathematically safe I won’t be allowing these boys to take their foot off the gas.”

The Colchester clash was highlighted as a potential crunch game weeks ago when Walsall were being dragged into a relegation dogfight.

But improved results, to accompany the improved performances, means tomorrow’s game is not the high-pressure fixture the Saddlers were expecting.

The U’s, however, are only four points clear of relegation and are in desperate need of a result.

Although Dutton wants his players to play with the same intensity, he does admit that the fixture carries far less weight than many thought it would.

He added: “Maybe psychologically for the guys, they can loosen up.

“I mentioned what good points they were at Grimsby and Southend because of the tension we had coursing through our body.

“It was massive and we were scared stiff of being dragged into something that we didn’t want to get dragged into. We had to keep them at arms length.

“That tension won’t be there anymore when we play Colchester, we’ll now be going into that game positive and wanting to stamp our authority down.

“All the pressure will be on Colchester. It will be different but we won’t be letting our guard down.

“I want as many points as I can as a manager.”

Emmanuel Osadebe’s superb 25-yard strike handed Walsall the win over Tranmere on Tuesday night.

The Saddlers put in a solid defensive display and added some attacking intent in the second 45 to earn their second consecutive win over a promotion hopeful.

Building off the back of those victories, Osadebe wants the forward-thinking players to attack the remaining fixtures.

He said: “It’s time now, whether it’s me, Rory, Lavs, Josh or Ty, to show what we’re about in the final third.

“If we stay compact, get the ball to any of us, it’s time for us to take it on our shoulders and do what we need to do.

“It just shows that none of us will rest and be happy with where we are.

“We want to keep going and get this club back to where it needs to be.

“It’s been very tough on everyone and I’m glad the chairman stuck with the gaffer because we were in agreement with him when we knew what his plans were.

“The fans and chairman have stuck with him and are now seeing what we can do.”

Heading into the Colchester game, Osadebe is determined to ‘put them to bed’ by taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

He added: “I don’t think we really felt pressure, we just knew what we needed to do. We’re a good team and whatever happens we’ll do our best and leave nothing out there.

“Going into Colchester, we’re all in the same head space that we want to go there and win.

“I want to go there and put them to bed. Score goals, create assists. That’s the same level we’re all on.

“We need to keep going until we’re definitely safe and then look ahead.

“For now, we need to take each game as it comes.”

Osadebe and Sam Perry both signed new contracts with the club on Monday and when asked how long the deals were for, Dutton said: "Manny's is a year with a year option.

"Sam Perry, I forget."

Meanwhile, Dan Scarr has returned to training and could be in contention for tomorrow's game.

The defender has been missing since March 12 when he picked up a calf knock in the loss to Barrow.

Dutton previously revealed he was ahead of schedule and has now said Scarr is back in training today.

"Dan Scarr is training today," Dutton said:

"Hayden White will be touch and go, we'll have a look at him."

Stuart Sinclair has missed the last three games with injury, alongside Liam Roberts.

Roberts has been on the bench during that time but has not warmed up ahead of games.

"Liam is fine and Stuart is recovering from a medial injury," Dutton added.

"There's no pressure on Sinco, he knows his own body and he'll manage it along with our medical department.

"He'll come into the group when he feels fit and ready. I don't have a time-frame on that.

"He's been out running so he won't be too far away. No doubt he'll be available before the end of the season."